Installed Windows 8 to friends and family, everyone loves it.

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Lprd2007 21

I know many of you are not gonna believe this, but in reality normal people love Windows 8. I've installed Win8 on 9+ computers which previously had Windows 7 (and XP in one of them). Absolutely all their owners love the new OS.

First, of course, they love the insane boot speeds. Improving the boot was a smart move by Microsoft because it's a performance improvement that normal people can measure.

They love the Start Screen. Seriously. They like being able to customize it, to pin all the stuff they care about. Everyone loves how fluid it is, and how much has improved the search functionality from Win 7.

The Metro apps are amazing for non-techie people. My sister always wanted an easy to use Photo editing application (Photoshop was too daunting to her). So I've installed Fotor, a free app from the Windows Store, and she absolutely loves it. There's many people out there that don't do much else on their computers than web-based activities, like Facebook, YouTube, and web browsing, so the Metro environment works great for them.

Everyone loves how much connected Windows 8 is. They love the integrated Facebook chat, they love the Mail app notifications (Sadly you have to configure notifications for each mail account manually...) and the People app.

They also love having a built in antivirus software (Windows Defender). They love how silent it is, unlike other traditional antivirus software they've been running.

Honestly, there is a learning curve. I don't think everyone could figure out easily how to work with the new OS without my help.

Of course I have Windows 8 installed in my own machine, I still spend most of the time on the Desktop running productivity applications (Visual Studio, 3ds Max, etc.), but I'm using the Metro environment a lot when consuming media or browsing the Internet (I'm typing this on Metro IE, I absolutely love the full screen browsing experience). I'm completely in love with the Mail app. Even though it could be a bit more polished, It is absolutely great and a must for any heavy email user (particularly if you have multiple mail accounts).

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mrlcutleruk83 3

i rarely use Metro Modern UI, but one thing i have done it pin my most used programs to it (mostly just chrome) and once my comps booted up, i click chrome, it instantly takes me to desktop and launches chrome. just feels so natural, have had no problems with it what so ever, no learning curve here.

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vcfan 2,337

the only people that don't like windows 8 and find it confusing are the computer tough guys,a.k.a computer gurus on the internet. the general consumer actually loves it,and that's who Microsoft is targeting, not the know it all techies or the hardcore users who need a million windows open at the same time. the other day I was in an electronics store and this teenager dragged his mom over to the surface pro and said this is so cool as he proceeded to swipe on the touch screen,and said look how small they started making these.

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daniel_rh 38

daniel_rh 38

The other day something similar happened to me, I like Windows 8 but due to its nature I don't recommend it unless my friend, relative or client insists or have a touch device compatible with Windows 8; well, one of my clients was talking about how awesome was her iPad and how cool is doing basic stuff with it and then she mentioned that her husband, a doctor who doesn't have a lot of experience with computers, installed Windows 8 on his new computer and it happened that he loves it! I was like... Really? Cool! It turned out that some people loves Windows 8, I like it but I admit it needs some polishing.

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zhangm 1,182

I think the speed improvements are great. The Start screen is also a nice addition with Live Tiles, though I wish they'd add an analogy to Jumplists for Start screen tiles.

I disagree that the Start screen offers good customizability, and I think the transition between desktop and Start screen could be less jarring if the Start screen would inherit the desktop background and either blur it, desaturate it, or apply a tint to improve contrast for any given background color.

I think the default apps leave a lot to be desired. For a bundled app that takes the name of a desktop version (Mail, etc), it should at least offer feature parity. I also expect that the Store experience will remain poor: the number of ****ty apps far exceeds those of quality, and while I'd love for Microsoft to be the first that draws a line in the sand and rejects subpar apps, I don't see this happening.

Overall, it's faster, and adds some nice new functionality, but I'd really just like to see the apps take off as far as being truly competitive with their desktop counterparts.

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droolingmonkey 15

Thats been my experience also. The few minor niggles are easily sorted, and the benefits arehuge. I am also a power user, but I find myself using more and more Modern apps. I'd like a decent gmail app though...

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Order_66 948

Order_66 948

the only people that don't like windows 8 and find it confusing are the computer tough guys,a.k.a computer gurus on the internet. the general consumer actually loves it,and that's who Microsoft is targeting

If the general consumer loves it then why did it fail at retail?

With a confirmed adoption rate that is far behind Vista, windows 8 has completely/utterly failed.

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Lprd2007 21

With a confirmed adoption rate that is far behind Vista, windows 8 has completely/utterly failed.

Windows 8 is an excellent OS, but the general consumer doesn't even know it exists. People are not buying computers because everyone has one (and there's no need to replace them, as they are still fast and reliable for current tasks). What people are buying is tablets, new form factors (Sadly win8 tablets are quite expensive). Also, people do not do upgrades. Upgrades have never been an important business for Microsoft, it's all about OEM sales.

I think the transition between desktop and Start screen could be less jarring if the Start screen would inherit the desktop background and either blur it, desaturate it, or apply a tint to improve contrast for any given background color.

That sounds nice, something like OS X's Launchpad. Although I don't think live tiles would look great on a composite background like icons do.

So how long have you worked for Microsoft?

:)

Haha, I wish I were... :(

So, your f11 keys have seen very little use in the past....

I know, but it's not the same. Metro IE removes absolutely all clutter from the webpage, even the scrollbars (when you stop moving your mouse for a while). Besides, it is insanely fast.

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+warwagon 9,571

This is where I think the difference is. Anybody who enjoys full screen browsing, is one kind of person. That kind of person probably loves windows 8. In fact, if that certain person was female, they would probably want to have Windows 8's baby. But then there are people who don't want to have 1 app fill up their entire screen. These people generally hate windows 8.

I'm personally annoyed on how Microsoft and Firefox by default now hide all the menus. They are the first thing that get enabled on a new install of Firefox. Give me back the menu bar on top. It's useful.

I'm going to give Windows 8 a slight complement. Most people are very unproductive. They do Facebook, a little email and surfing. That's pretty much it. So yes, those people probably would LOVE windows 8. Good Job Microsoft!

rfirth 721

With a confirmed adoption rate that is far behind Vista, windows 8 has completely/utterly failed.

Because Windows 7 is good enough... very well received and respected... and relatively new. When Vista was released, XP was very established but aging and significantly less secure. Another reason is that there are more PCs in use in the world today than when Vista was released. You have to sell a lot more computers to get 5% today than you did in 2007. In fact, Windows itself has less desktop marketshare than it did in 2007. It matters.

And of course they love it, because they have you! :p

Very true, actually. Everyone I know that I've shown Windows 8 to has loved it... but I wouldn't dare dump it on someone without at least a 30 second explanation.

This is where I think the difference is. Anybody who enjoys full screen browsing, is one kind of person. That kind of person probably loves windows 8. In fact if that certain person was female they would probably want to have Windows 8's baby. But then there are people who don't want to have 1 app fill up their entire screen. These people generally hate windows 8.

Until they stop torturing themselves with full screen apps. You don't have to use them. And you can keep the larger full screen start menu, or you can install 3rd party software to modify your computer to your heart's content. See? Not so bad :)

This kind of comparison between vista and windows 8 is bogus. The % comparison means nothing. Windows 8 sold 40 million copies in its first month.If these weren't selling then why would OEMs and other buy another 20 million the next month? Vista only sold 20 million in its first month. It took windows 7 longer to sell 60 million than windows 8.

About the whole PC sales being lower. Well with windows 7 we have something called netbooks which were ridiculously cheap.Windows 8 doesnt get the benefit of being installed on these small cheap computers and count as a sale. We also had the problem of not finding any of the new windows 8 hardware for most of the quarter. You also don't know how many people simply upgraded to windows 8. PC sales being lower doesnt mean windows sales are.In the old days,you also needed a new PC to run the latest OS. Windows 8 actually has less of requirements than the previous version. Microsoft also posted much higher revenues and profits in the windows division,obviously from windows 8 sales even though PC sales were lower.

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Dot Matrix 7,061

This is where I think the difference is. Anybody who enjoys full screen browsing, is one kind of person. That kind of person probably loves windows 8. In fact, if that certain person was female, they would probably want to have Windows 8's baby. But then there are people who don't want to have 1 app fill up their entire screen. These people generally hate windows 8.

I'm personally annoyed on how Microsoft and Firefox by default now hide all the menus. They are the first thing that get enabled on a new install of Firefox. Give me back the menu bar on top. It's useful.

I'm going to give Windows 8 a slight complement. Most people are very unproductive. They do Facebook, a little email and surfing. That's pretty much it. So yes, those people probably would LOVE windows 8. Good Job Microsoft!

For everyone else....

Anyone who enjoys clutter on their screen, is a one kind of person.

Seriously, menus don't need to be on my screen until they are needed. I have 1680x1050 worth of pixels that are better spent on content, not a mess of controls. People know how to right click, they'll find them.

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firey 3,556

firey 3,556

Seriously, menus don't need to be on my screen until they are needed. I have 1680x1050 worth of pixels that are better spent on content, not a mess of controls. People know how to right click, they'll find them.

To each their own, I have 1680x1050 on two monitors so double that up for total pixels, and I personally can't stand full screen apps unless it's a game which has a tonne of controls and buttons anyways. Much rather have menus and buttons and such right there instead of hidden away (except in the case of the start menu which I personally much prefer).

I hate having to go find menus and accidentally hitting the hot-corners I disable them whenever possible.

So just because you prefer one way doesn't mean everyone does, which is why people get frustrated and have problems. It's not because people don't want or like change, hell if 8 was closer to 7 in the UI department I would have updated for sure. It's because it doesn't work how us, the consumers, want it to work (based on our own feelings).

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techbeck 4,809

techbeck 4,809

Dont get my started about Win8, the inconsistency, the hard to find settings, and just annoying interface designed for touch while leaving the desktop users in the cold. There is a reason with Win8 is as worse, or worse, than Vista.

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episode 565

the only people that don't like windows 8 and find it confusing are the computer tough guys,a.k.a computer gurus on the internet. the general consumer actually loves it,and that's who Microsoft is targeting, not the know it all techies or the hardcore users who need a million windows open at the same time. the other day I was in an electronics store and this teenager dragged his mom over to the surface pro and said this is so cool as he proceeded to swipe on the touch screen,and said look how small they started making these.

Wrong. I have done downgrades of lots of computers that came with 8 and people can't get accustomed to it. Speaking for the 'general consumer' all at once is dangerous and stupid. Win8 is a great home-user based OS. For anyone using it for a business purpose, however, it isn't.

Also, if the uptake is slower than Vista, as is documented (and you have to use percentages, raw numbers don't matter), then it is NOT only the tech-savvy that aren't liking it.

One more thing: The Surface Pro is not relevant to this argument, as it is a great little device (except for battery) regardless of the OS you have running on it.

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techbeck 4,809

I've had a considerable number of complaints from customers about Windows 8. This includes people from all walks of life...

I can count on my hand the people i've met (in person) that actually enjoy it.

Same here. I normally hear "uhh, no thanks" as soon as people see the Metro screen with all the tiles. Its an ugly interface.

I didnt have any problems going from Windows 3.11 to Windows 95...and that was back when I knew little about what I do now. Windows 8 just reduces my work productivity and since you cannot disable UAC (easily) and still use the Web apps, I said screw it.